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evangelism manual
| Personal Evangelism |
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How to build witnessing relationships
In Romans 1:14-15, Paul wrote “I am under obligation both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. Thus, for my part, I am eager to preach the Gospel to you also who are in Rome.” The word translated “under obligation” literally means, “I am a debtor,” or “I owe it to them.” We owe it to those who are without Christ to share with them the love Jesus has for them. Remember, everyone needs relationships! Here are a few suggestions on how to build witnessing relationships.
- Be real. We are called to care.
- Find out what you have in common with them.
- Be a good listener. Use your eyes and ears.
- Look for opportunities to serve them.
- Your walk gives credibility to your talk.
- Your talk gives clarity to your walk.
- Look for opportunities to plant spiritual seeds.
- Be sensitive to times of heightened spiritual receptivity.
- Be patient. Don't give up.
Sharing Your Personal Testimony
- What IS a personal testimony?
Telling how you came to know Christ, sharing with someone how Christ has changed your life.
- Why should I share my testimony?
1. To be obedient to the command of Christ. — Acts 1:8
2. To demonstrate the power of God in changing your life. — 2 Corinthians 5:17
3. To demonstrate the faithfulness of God in answered prayer.
4. To demonstrate the love of God.
- Is there an example in the Bible?
An example of Paul's personal testimony is found in Acts 22 and Acts 26. He based his testimony on the following points:
1. His life before becoming a Christian. — Acts 22:3-5; 26:4-11
2. His salvation experience. — Acts 22:7-16; 26:12-18
3. His life after becoming a Christian. — Acts 9:19-22; 22:21; 26:19-20
- What should I include in my personal testimony?
1. Your life before becoming a Christian.
2. How you realized your need for Christ.
3. When and how you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior.
4. Specific ways Christ has changed your life since becoming a Christian.
5. What the Lord is teaching you now.
- I became a Christian as a young child and there seems to be little "dynamic" to tell… what should I include?
1. Christian home and family background, people who had an influence on you, and your early Christian experience.
2. How you knew as a child what following Christ meant.
3. Your experience of understanding that you personally needed to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.
4. Reasons why God's presence in your life makes a difference now, and specific areas in which He is actively working in and through you.
- Can you give me some tips on things I should do in giving my personal testimony?
1. DO begin your testimony with an attention-getting sentence. Examples:
a. "I used to think I really knew what was going on in life. Boy, was I wrong!"
b. "I used to be afraid of dying, but not anymore."
c. "I grew up in a church but did not understand its purpose until a few years ago."
2. DO end your testimony with a decision question. Examples:
a. "And that's how I became a Christian. Do you understand what I have said?"
b. "Do you feel you have come to know Christ yet, or are you still on the way?"
3. DO adjust your testimony so others can identify with you. Identify with weaknesses and needs (as honestly as you can).
4. DO give enough details to arouse and keep interest.
5. DO use scripture. Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16,17.
6. DO present Christ as the center of your testimony, not yourself, Do not dwell on your past.
7. DO stress the personal relationship you have with Christ.
- Are there any "Don'ts" in giving my testimony?
1. DON'T use "church" and "Christian" talk. Example: Explain sin as disobedience to God. "Salvation" and "being saved" must be explained as the willing acceptance of Jesus Christ as one’s only means of entering heaven (Savior), and a willingness to follow God’s guidelines for life (Lord).
2. DON'T be too wordy. (Three to four minutes is adequate.)
3. DON'T avoid the point—Christ is the answer to a new life.
4. DON'T overemphasize how bad you were before coming to know Christ.
5. DON'T use words that are general ("it was just a fantastic experience," "I felt great," etc.). Be specific ("I became aware that God loved me as an individual," etc.).
6. DON'T mention church denominations, groups, or people in a derogatory manner, even if you disagree with them strongly.
7. DON'T make statements that you know will cause an argument.
8. DON'T give the impression that the Christian life is a bed of roses and that you are now perfect. Paint an accurate picture. Christ said we could have an abundant life, but He didn't promise it would always be easy.
9. DON'T speak in a judgmental or critical way. Convey an attitude of love and acceptance.
How to use The Kristo website
The website is the flash presentation of the gospel that includes music, life issues and the Solution using the bridge illustration. The viewer can respond to the presentation at the end by following simple instructions.
Using the website as a tool for personal evangelism can be effective in several ways.
- Put the website address on your personal website and your ministry’s website for seekers to link to.
- Purchase the business-sized cards that has the website address. Hand it out to students you are building a witnessing relationship with in your dorm, class, work, etc. Let them know that you will get back with them in a couple of days to see what they thought of the website.
- Put the website address on any printed brochures, materials, ministry apparel, ads in college publications.
- Put the website address as a part of your email signature.
- Send an email to a seeker using the website address inviting them to link and look.
- Use your own creative, innovative ideas to get the Word out.
Unlearning “Christianese”
Ron Hutchcraft made it clear when he wrote, “Obviously, the need to translate Christ’s message is hard to miss in a foreign setting where there is a clearly different linguistic language. But the need to translate the Jesus-story is easy to miss when our neighbors and friends speak the same linguistic language we do, but a different cultural language.
The words of our Christian “tribe” simply have no meaning – or the wrong meaning – to the lost “tribe” right next to us. Many lost people assigned to us by God have no better understanding of “born again”, “saved”, or “accepting Christ” than Mincaye, an African, had of “forgive.”
Acts 2:6, “Each one heard them (the apostles) speaking in his own language.”
Ron goes on to say, “This is life-or-death information we have to deliver. We can’t afford to have our lost family and friends miss it just because we said it in words they don’t understand. It’s time to move beyond Christianese to communicate the message people cannot afford to miss.
The words we use can be decisive for each of us in our personal rescue mission for Jesus. You’re God’s missionary where you are. If you make the effort to translate the Good News into the language of the person who needs it, you can be part of a life-giving miracle!”
Your Story Can Move Others to Christ
Your story has power…
- It's personal. You don't have to memorize Bible verses, or worry about telling it correctly.
- It is conversational. It's not a sermon. It can be shared over a cup of coffee or after a round of golf.
- No one can dispute it. If you have joy, peace, and love in your life as a result of knowing Christ, that will be evident.
- It is interesting. It's natural for friends to want to know more about each other. Even if your friend is antagonistic to the Gospel, he/she may still be interested in why you value your relationship with a man named Jesus.
From Sharing Christ When You Feel You Can't by Daniel Owens, copyright (c) 1997. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, Ill., 1-800-635-7993.
The Power of Prayer Evangelism
Prayerlessness is one of the greatest hindrances to evangelism on our campuses, workplaces and in our neighborhoods. One of the reasons why more students are not coming to faith in Christ is the lack of intercessory and intentional prayer for the lost. Robert Speer once said, “The evangelization of the world…depends first of all upon a revival of prayer.” Do you want to see friends and family come to know Christ as Savior? Then review these suggestions taken from “Praying Your Friends to Christ.”
- Ask God to open their spiritual eyes (2 Cor. 4:4).
- Ask God to set them free from spiritual captivity (2 Tim. 2:25-26).
- Ask God to give them ears to hear (Matt. 13:15), faith to believe (Acts 20:21), and will to respond (Rom. 10:9).
- Ask God to send people into their lives to witness to them (Matt. 9:38).
- Ask God for ways to build caring relationships ((I Cor. 9:22).
- Ask God for opportunities to witness (Col. 4:3).
- Ask God for boldness to witness (Acts 4:29).
- Ask God for an opportunity to invite them to a harvest event (Luke 14:23).
Taken from “Praying Your Friends to Christ”
This small booklet will help students to pray biblically and intentionally for non-Christians. The booklet is full of ideas on how to pray for the unreached and is an excellent tool to use in the eXit strategy.
Order info:
NAMB # 1-866-407-6262
ISBN #0840067283
Cost: $9.95/pkg of 100
How to use apologetics to do evangelism
Apologetics is the defense of the truth claimed in Scripture. The Bible says, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (I Peter 3:15) NIV. Outside of your transformed Christ-life, the best resources for you will be available at these websites:
Earn the Right to be Heard
Jesus said that He didn’t come to be served, but to serve. Serving those you are building witnessing relationships with and praying for will earn you the right to share Jesus. Your motivation is not manipulation but to tear down the walls of skepticism and cynicism. We will be posting servant evangelism ideas occasionally but here are some resources for you to look at but don’t forget your own creativity and innovation.
http://www.servantevangelism.com/
The Conspiracy of Kindness by Steve Sjogren,
Servanthood Evangelism by Alvin Reid & David Wheeler
Campus Surveys
Many college and university ministries use a survey to open up the door for a verbal witness on campus. This is an excellent way to train new and more experienced witnessing. Click here for a sample survey but always make sure that it is contextualized to your specific campus.
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| Collegiate Evangelism Websites and Resources |
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WEBSITES
BOOKS
- The Case for Christ
Lee Stobel
- Evangelism That Works
George Barna
- The God You’re Looking For!
Bill Hybels
- Persuasions: A Dream of Reason Meeting Unbelief
Douglas Wilson
- Keeping Your Faith in College
Abbie Smith
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| Excuses in Sharing Your Faith |
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Almost all of our reasons for not witnessing consistently could be grouped into two categories…fear and lack of concern. We will be listing several excuses that people use to not share their faith. Here are a few but watch for more information as we will be giving a strategy to battle each excuse.
- Excuse #1: "I don't feel confident enough to share my faith with a non-Christian."
- Excuse #2: "I know someone of another religion (Hindu, Muslim, etc.), and would like to start a friendship with them. But I'm hesitant because I don't know enough about their religion."
- Excuse #3: "I find that I'm simply too busy to take on any further obligations. And I'm already busy in the church or campus ministry."
- Excuse #4: "The people I interact with aren't the least bit interested in spiritual things."
- Excuse #5: "I know I should feel compassion for the lost, but I don't. I love my friends and family, but I just do not have an overwhelming desire to share God's love with the lost."
- Excuse #6: "There are so many different types of people who believe so may different types of things. How do I know where to start relating to people?"
- Excuse #7: “What if I blow it and send someone to hell?”
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| Evangelism Stories & Illustrations |
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The power of stories of how God has moved in and through a person is undeniable. Illustrations are just as powerful because they tell how God’s unchanging love is active in reaching out to the lost. You will be seeing a growing list of powerful stories that will challenge and encourage your evangelism and witnessing.
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| Evangelism Ideas |
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This is a partial list of ideas that you can quickly grab and do without much planning. Warning! Don’t just start doing a bunch of these ideas on one person. Pray to the Lord that He will give you wisdom and insight on how to approach a person or group. These are to just help you brainstorm and sort thought potential ways to share your faith. The bottom line is that you have a story to tell. These ideas can help you share your story.
- Give a seeker a copy of the The Case for Christ.
- Ask someone who is wearing a cross if that means anything to them or is it just jewelry.
- Give a friend a copy of C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters.
- Email a seeker the link to http://www.thekristo.com/ and ask them what they thought about it.
- Do a campus survey to open the door for a verbal witness.
- If you are an fairly experienced witness, then grab a new believer and go out on campus prayerwalking and sharing Christ. Mentoring is good!
- Check out http://www.servantevangelism.com/ for a ton of ideas that will create opportunities for a personal witness.
- Pray for 5 students or friends you know that you can influence for Christ.
- Take a seeker to lunch and share Christ.
- Pick up a couple dozen donuts and take to class or office. Begin to share your testimony.
- Write out your personal testimony and send it to a friend.
- Buy someone a Bible and give to a lost person that you know. Be sure to write a personal note in the Bible to them.
- Have a dinner for a small group and then share your testimony.
Note: We will be adding many more ideas but share your ideas with us. Send them to mailto:college@studentz.com?subject=*** Studentz.com/ Evangelsim Manual/ Evangelism Ideas *** and will look them over. No guarantees but we’ll post the best ones for sure. Thanks in advance for helping out.
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| Worship Evangelism |
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According to Isaiah 6:1-8, if you come into the presence of the Lord and leave the same way you came in, then you haven’t worshipped. Martin Luther understood the power of music in worship when he said, “I really believe, nor am I shamed to assert that next to theology there is no art equal to music.” Luther also said that, “Experience proves that next to the Word of God music deserves to be extolled as the mistress and governess of the feelings of the human heart.”
Most college and university ministries now have a time set aside for their students to worship. You will begin to notice that the new resources and challenges will be available for you to make your individual and corporate worship an environment and experience for transformation to take place. The small or large group worship experience is an incredible opportunity for students to bring their lost friends to see them experience the living and powerful God we serve. Come back for more!
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| Evangelism Scriptures and Quotes |
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- Matthew 28:18-20
- Mark 16:15
- Luke 9:25
- Luke 12:12
- Luke 23:47-48
- John 1:12
- John 3:3-7
- John 4:24
- John 10:10
- John 14:26
- John 15:27
- John 16:8-11
- John 16:13
- John 20:21
- Acts 1:8
- Romans 1:16
- Romans 8:9, 13,14, 15, 36
- I Corinthians 9:16,17
- II Corinthians 5:18-20
- Galatians 5:25
- Ephesians 4:30
- Ephesians 5:18
- I Thess. 5:19
- 2 Timothy 3:16,17
- Titus 2:7-8
- Hebrews 2:14-15
- Hebrews 4:12
- I Peter 3:15
- I John 5:6
- I Peter 3:15
Quotes for evangelism
- “Evangelizing in the church is like fishing in a bathtub: it’s terribly convenient, but you don’t catch much.” (Dr. Roy Fish)
- “Your walk gives credibility to your talk, while your talk gives clarity to your walk.” (unknown)
- “You say you have a faith? Well, then, either give it out or give it up.” (Robert Speer)
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